Plate finishing and cooling machine



R. T. LOHNSTON.

PLATE FINISHING AND COOLING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 6, I918.

1,389,761 PatentedSept. 6, 1921.

INVENTOR. In I 2,

III I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT T. IJ OIINSTON, OF SCOTCH PLAINS, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T R. -I-IOE AN I) C0,, NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION.OF NEW YORK.

PLATE FINISHING AND COOLING MACHINE.

Specification ofLetters Patent.

Patented Sept. 6, 1921.

Application filed September 6, 1918. Serial No. 252,888.

I a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at machine.

Scotch Plains, county of'Union, and State ofllew Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Plate Finishing and Cooling Machines, fully described,

and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same. This invention relatesto certain improvements in machines for coolingand finishing curved stereotype plates; a 1 It IS the especial obge'ctof the invention to produce a simple, compact machine for finishing and coolinga plate, occupylng but 1 small space, and in which two plates may be operated on at the same time and the operating parts of:which be readily accessible tothe operator.

A further object of the invention is to produce a machine in which the operating parts are controlled by a fast' and loose pulley construction to provide a smooth running With theseand other objects not specifically referred to in view, the invention consists in certain novel arrangements of parts which will now be described in detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which'. r

Figure 1 is a side view, partly in section, of thecomplete machine;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, partly in section and partly broken away, of the machine shown in Fig. l; i 7

Fig. 3 is an end view, partly in section, of certain mechanism shown in Fig. 1, and r Fig. 4: is a sectional end view, similar to Fig. 3, showingthe parts in other positions, certain parts being omitted.

Referring now to these drawings in detail, the various parts of the mechanism will mg operation. lVhile the specific constructions for eifecting these objects may be varied, such constructions will include means whereby the plate is given a rotary movement during the operations of cooling, cutting ofi the gate and finishing, whereby the mechanisms for effecting these operations may occupy as small a space as possible.

In the particular construction illustrated,

there is provided a receiving stand 2 sup-' ported through brackets 3 on standards 4 rising from the base 1. Along the receiving stand the plates are fed by the operator to the finlshing and cooling mechanism which, in the particular construction illustrated, include a rotary carrier 5 in the form of a hollow cylinder supported in suitable bearmg frames 6 secured to the frames 4' of the machine before referred to.

Th s finishing and cooling cylinder 5 is capacltated to carry two plates around, so

sired, during the'rotation of the cylinder. This cylinder is provided with guide ledges 7 (see F 1g. 2) in line with the receiving stand 2, the plate being fed into the cylinder along these guide ledges. In machines embodying the invention in its best form,

' that two plates may be operated on, if dethe plate, as it enters the cylinder, is clamped 'in position by being undercut, as indicated at 10, and taking in undercut grooves in the cylinder sides. In the particular and preferred construction illustrated, each-slide has two of these locking tongues. These locking slides are held normally in locked position through springs 11 taking against abutments 12 on the shell and lugs 13 on the slides. These locking slides operate to lift one side of the plate from the guide'ledge' 7 and lock it firmly against the interior of the shell, slots 14 being provided in the guide ledges 7 to permit the operation of the tongues. Various means for operating the locking slides to 'eifect the locking action may be provided. In the particular construction illustrated, there are provided recessed arms 15 in which operate striker pieces 16, the pieces sliding'in the arms against springs 17. These arms 15 are operated at the proper time to move the slides against the compression of the spring to place the locking lugs in plate receiving position. In the particular construction shown, the slides are provided with projections 18 which extend into the normal out position of the striker pieces 16. As the shell rotates clockwise in Fig. 3, the projections 16 force the striker pieces inward in the recesses of the arms 15, which strikers, after the projections 18 pass, immediately spring behlnd them. if The striker arms are then operated to compress the springs and operate the slides to permit a plate to be fed intothe cylinder. While this may be effected in various ways, in the particular construction illustrated these striker arms are mounted on a rock shaft 20 suitably supported in the frame ofthe machine. -This rock shaft is operated through spring rod connections 21,

operable from either end of the machine through foot levers 22, one of which is shown in Fig. 1. By depressing these levers, the operator opens the lock and can insert a plate in the cylinder. lVhen the plate is in the cylinder, the operator releases the foot lever and the plate is locked in position and ready-for subsequent operations. 1 V i The cylinder may be driven in various ways. As shown the cylinder has fast there to a driving gear .23 which meshes with a driving pinion 24 on a short shaft 25 This shaft 2 5,at one end carries a gear 26 which meshes'with a pinion 27 on a short shaft 28.. Thisshaft 28 is driven througha pair of fast and loose pulleys (see Fig. 1) 29, 30, and a driving pulley 31 on a driving shaft 32 suitably supported in bearings 33 on standards 34rising from the base 1, beforereferred to, the pulleys being drivenlby a suitable belt 35, and the shaft 32 being driven from any suitable source of power than that of the driving shaft 32, before preferred to, through an ordinary belt and pulley construction 38. i j

In machinesembodying the invention in its best form, means will'be provided whereby after the finishing cylinder with a plate therein has made a partial revolution, the cylinder will be automatically stopped to enable the operator tofeed into the cylinder an unfinished plate and at the same time remove therefrom the plate which has been cooled and finished, the operator again starting the machine to complete the revolution of the cylinder. lVhile the particular construction employed for providing for this cylinder movement may be varied within considerable limits, as illustrated there is provided .,a controller shaft 39 extend ng longitudinally of the machine on'one side,

this controller shaft bein'g'provided with the. cylinderiis stopped. after a partial revolution and by which it is again set in rotation by the operator, theseconnections in the best constructions including means for preventing the operator from setting the cylinder rota-ting mechanism in action unless the parts are in correct position, and means for stopping the rotation of thecylinder after the power has been thrown ofiiflThe particular mechanism for effecting this may be widely varied. 'iAs illustrated, however, the controller shaft carries an arm- 41 to which is connected a link 42 having secured at its otherend a latch piece 43. This latch piece is normally held through a spring 44, 1 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, in position to engage an abutment or stop 45fon the cylinder. The latch is connected at its lower end to onegarm 430 of alever 44' pivoted at 431 in the frame'of the machine. The other arm of -this lever has connected thereto a rod 432 which passes through-an aperture in abracket' 433 secured to the frame. of themachine,-zand'this rod at its lower end carries adjustable thrust nuts 434. A spring 43 is arranged around the'rod and takes between the nuts 434, and the lower face of'the bracket arm 433. This construction acts to stop the rotation of the cylinder, the spring 43 taking up the momentum. When it is desired to rotate the 4 cylinder, the operator first moves'one of the when the power'is applied. To apply power the shafti39 is mounted to slide in'its bear ings longitudinally of the machine. This shaft has a: belt-shifting yoke 46 fast thereon and by movement of the shaft-the shifting yoke acts to -throw the belt from the loose to the fast pulley, thus starting the cylinder I through the train of gearing before referred'to.

To effect the stopping of the cylinder after partial revolution, the cylinder is provided with a pair of cams '47, one of which is shown (see Fig. 2). This cam, in the rotation of the cylinder, strikes against a'cam roll 48 ona cam lever 49 suitably pivoted at- 50 in the machine frame, the otherarm of this lever 51 having a pin 52 taking'in a groove 53 of a collar 54 slidable on the con- I the controller shaft pressed to the right in yoke 46 is fast thereon and the cylinder is stopped until the controller shaft is again operated, this sequenceof movement occurlution.- To effect this the operator holds Fig; 2, and the spring 'takes up the'movement of the collar 54 given it by the cam 47 In the best constructions means {will be providedwhereby the operator can not throw on the power until the latch 43 be fore referred to has been moved out of 'engagement with theabutment 45. In thepar Fig. 3), this locking pin being carried on one ofthe handles 40, before referred to,

and as shown in Fig. 1. This pin bears against a projection or lug 57, on a bracket 57 on the machine frame and until the shaft 32 is rotated to allow'the pin to clear this lug the shaft cannot be given its endwise power applying movement. The other lug 58, against which the pin snaps after it has cleared the lug 57 acts as a stop and indicates to the operator that the parts are in proper position to put the power on.

The specific means for cooling and finishing the plate may vary widely in construction. In the best constructions, the plates are cooled and then finished. In the particular mechanism shown, there is provided a plate 59, shown in edge view in Fig. 2 and in'dotted lines in Fig. 3, through which extends a pipe 590 connected with a suitable source of Water supply. This plate 59 is connected in any suitable manner as by being secured to a knife block 61 and extends downwardly so as to be close to but to clear the inside surface of a plate in the lower part of the carrier. This plate acts as an abutment or dam to keep the Water from running out the left hand end of the cylinder, Fig. 2, and to direct it through the cylinder so that as a plate is rotated by the cylinder it will come into contact with the water and be cooled. After the plate has been cooled, it is finished by a suitable finishing knife 60 carried in a knife block 61, the knife being secured to the block by screws 62. This block 61 may be supported in any suitable manner, as on the uprights 4 before referred to.

,The plate, after it has been cooled and finished, may be delivered in any suitable manner, as on a delivery stand 64 supported from a bracket 65 on the upright 4 be fore described.

lVhile a compact machine, and one in which the parts are readily accessible and easily manipulated by the operator, has been produced by the present invention, it will be understood that the various constructions shown and described may be widely changed as to their specific details without departing from the invention, and it is understood that such changes and variations may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

- hat is claimed is:

1. In a stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a finishing cylinder, means fordriving the cylindcr,'means for disconnecting the driving means after a partial revolution, means for locking the cylinder against rotation, and manually operated means for breaking the lock and throwing the power operating means into operation.

2. In a stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a finishing cylinder, means for driving the cylinder, means for automatically disconnecting the driving means after a partial revolution, means for locking the cylinder against rotation, and a manually operated controller movable to first break the lock and then throw the power driving means into operation.

3. In a stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a finishing cylinder, a fast and a loose pulley and a belt and connections therefrom for driving the cylinder, means for locking the cylinder against rotation, and a manually operable controller for first breaking the lock and then shifting the belt to apply power to the cylinder.

4. In a stereotype plate finishing ma chine, the combination of a finishing cylinder, means for driving the cylinder, a controller shaft, connections from the controller shaft to the driving means for controlling their operation, a lock for locking the cylinder against rotation, and connections from the controller shaft to the lock for breaking the lock.

5. In a stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a finishing cylinder, locking abutments thereon, a locking latch with which the abutments coiiperate, a controller shaft, connections from the shaft to the latch for making and breaking the lock, driving mechanism for the cylinder, and connections from the controller shaft to the driving mechanism for controlling the latter.

6. In a stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a finishing cylinder, means for driving the cylinder, means for disconnecting the driving means after the cylinder has been given a partial revolution, and means for rendering the disconnecting means inoperative to permit a full revolution of the cylinder.

7. In a stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a finishing cylinder,

" means for driving the cylinder, automatic 8. In a stereotype plate means for throwing the power driving means out of operation after a partial revo lution, and manually operated connections for throwing the power operating means into operation. a

' finishing machine, the combination of a finishing cylinder, means for driving the cylinder, a controller shaft, connections from the controller shaft 9. In a stereotype plate finishing machine,- the combination of a finishing cylinder,-

means for driving the cylinder, a controller shaft having arotary and a longitudinal movement, locking means for locking the, cylinder against rotatlon, connections be tween the shaft and the locking means, and means whereby the'longitudinal movement of the shaft is prevented until the cylinder locking means have been released.

10. In a stereotype plate finishing chine, the combination of a finishing cylinder, afast and a loose pulleyand a'beltand connections therefrom for driving'thecyh inder, means for automatically disconnect ing the driving means after a partial revolutijon', means for cooling a plate on the cylinder by contact therewith of a cooling fluid,

means for locking. the cylinder against, ro-" tation, and a manually operatedcontroller movable. to first; break the lockand then throw the powerdriving means into opera tion..

11-. In a stereotype plate finishing ma chine, the combination ofa finishing cylinder, means for driving the cylinder, a cone troller shaft, azyokefast on the shaft, a

collarslidableon the shaft, connections be.-

tween the collar andcylinder for moving, the collar, and a spring between the vcollar and the yoke '-In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand. I ROBERT T. JOHNSTON. 

